The bird flu spread in Upper Austria. After the virus was confirmed last week at a private company in the Innviertel, two cases have now been reported from Linz-Land and Wels-Land.
The first case occurred on January 13 near the Salzburg border and affected geese, ducks and chickens from a farm in the Braunau district. There are now two confirmed new cases which, according to the hazard map, apparently took place in the immediate vicinity, but in two different districts – Linz-Land and Wels-Land. The first operation is a private farm of 30 chickens and 16 ducks in the Linz-Land district.
Second operation in the Wels-Land district
Part of the poultry population has already died or had to be slaughtered due to the severity of the disease. The second farm is an agricultural chicken farm in the Wels-Land district, consisting of two flocks with 350 and 200 animals respectively. Here too, some chickens have already died of the disease, the rest must also be killed.
“Avian flu poses no danger to humans and is not transmitted through food. As the current evidence in Austria now suggests that the virus is rampant among Austria’s wild birds, poultry farmers across the country are being called upon to comply with biosecurity measures,” emphasizes State Veterinary Director Thomas Hain.
The protection zone is controlled by the official veterinarian
A protection and surveillance area is established around the affected section for at least 21 days to quickly identify possible events in other sections or prevent possible transmission. All poultry farms within the protection zone (3 km radius) are inspected by official veterinarians.
This applies in the protection and surveillance zone:
- The kept poultry must be isolated (for example in stables) in such a way that it is protected from contact with wild birds. This applies regardless of the size of the herd, which means that the reporting obligation also applies to small farms with less than 50 animals!
- All persons entering poultry houses must comply with appropriate biosecurity measures (e.g.: disinfection at house entrances and exits). Visits must be documented.
- All vehicles entering or leaving a poultry farm must be subject to appropriate disinfection measures.
- If there is an increased mortality of poultry on the farm, this must be reported immediately to the responsible district administration.
- Poultry may only be brought into or removed from a farm with the permission of the district administration.
Symptoms in poultry
Poultry farmers should think about bird flu if they have the following symptoms:
- mass illness
- High mortality in galliformes
- shortness of breath
- Greenish watery diarrhea
- Bleeding from internal organs, comb tips and standards
- swelling in the head area
- Marked drop in egg production
- Significantly reduced water and feed intake
- lethargy
- A fever
In order to rule out avian flu with these symptoms, the local responsible veterinary authority must be informed.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
